Patents Assigned to Texas Tech University
  • Microfluidic device for studying nematodes
    Patent number: 10668467
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate, a cover layer and one or more chambers disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both. Each chamber has a first end, a second end, and a set of micro-pillars disposed therein. A first microchannel and second microchannel are disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both, and connected to the first end and second end of the chamber, respectively. A first set of barriers is disposed within each first microchannel proximate to the first end of the chamber. A second set of barriers is disposed within each second microchannel proximate to the second end of the chamber. A third microchannel is disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both, and connected to the chamber. A first port, second port and third port extend through the cover layer and connect to the first, second and third microchannels, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Siva A. Vanapalli, Mizanur Rahman
  • UDE-based robust droop control for parallel inverter operation
    Patent number: 10651656
    Abstract: A control system and method include a control strategy and a UDE (Uncertainty and Disturbance Estimator)-based controller incorporated into the control strategy to achieve proportional load sharing for parallel-operated inverters. The UDE-based controller regulates the reactive power against the output generated by a reactive power reference unit according to the load voltage to generate the amplitude of the control voltage. The conventional droop method regulates real power to generate the phase of the control voltage. As a result, the model uncertainties (e.g., parameter drifts and uncertain output impedance), and system disturbances (e.g., fluctuating DC-link voltage and load change) can be estimated and compensated for accurate load sharing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Beibei Ren, Yeqin Wang, Qing-Chang Zhong
  • Surface modification of zero valent iron material for enhanced reactivity for degrading chlorinated contaminants in water
    Patent number: 10640406
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and compounds for degrading chlorinated compounds in water. A facile aqueous-based surface treatment of zero-valent iron is provided to increase the reactivity of a zero-valent iron material for degrading chlorinated compounds in the water without the use of a noble metal catalyst. Such a facile aqueous-based surface treatment can be implemented as a surface sulfidation pre-treatment of iron to increase its reactivity towards chlorinated contaminants in water. The disclosed facile aqueous-based surface treatment increases reactivity utilizing sulfur compounds for use in the degradation of the chlorinated compounds in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Weile Yan, Yanlai Han
  • NOVEL OPIOID ANTAGONISTS AND METHODS RELATED THERETO
    Publication number: 20200131183
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and method for a therapeutic treatment that is able to combat certain conditions such as alcohol dependence, opioid abuse treatment, neurological disorders, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia. The novel gliotoxin analog compound acts by acting as an antagonist to one or more opioid receptors, which, when present leads to the inhibition of conditions, providing increased performance over known treatments. The disclosed compounds also shows the ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier in a highly efficient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Nadezhda German, Modammad Anwar Hossain
  • METHOD FOR OPTIMIZATION OF HUFF-N-PUFF GAS INJECTIONS IN HYDROCARBON RESERVOIRS
    Publication number: 20200088016
    Abstract: Methods for optimization of liquid oil production by huff-n-puff in shale reservoirs to achieve an improved (and optimal) oil recovery factor. The process determines and utilizes the optimum huff and puff times, number of cycles and soaking time under practical operation and reservoir conditions. The huff time in the process is a period so long that the pressure near the wellbore reaches the set maximum injection pressure during the huff period. The puff time in the process is the time required for the pressure near the wellbore to reach the set minimum production pressure during the puff period. Soaking is typically not necessary during the huff-n-puff gas injection in shale oil reservoirs. The number of huff-n-puff cycles is determinable by the time in which the economic rate cut-off is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Texas Tech University System
    Inventor: James J. Sheng
  • Live attenuated viral vaccine created by self-attenuation with species-specific artificial MicroRNA
    Patent number: 10493146
    Abstract: The present invention includes a live attenuated virus and methods of making the same comprising an isolated virus comprising a viral genome that expresses one or more viral antigens; and one or more exogenous species-specific microRNAs inserted into the viral genome and expressed thereby, wherein the species-specific microRNAs are ubiquitously expressed in a viral target species cell but not in a viral propagation cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Mingtao Zeng, Junwei Li
  • Fracturability index maps for fracture placement and design of shale reservoirs
    Patent number: 10480289
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a fracturability index for use in identifying fracture locations and propagation in subterranean formations. A well path can be divided into a plurality of segments and the order of fracture locations along the path can be identified. Such an order is based on an optimal fracture stage from a production point of view followed by subsequent fracture stages. The above steps or operations can be repeated with respect to additional paths to generate data for use in determining prioritized segments and identifying fracture locations and propagation in subterranean formations. Such data can be compiled in the context of a fracturability index map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Ahmed Alzahabi, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Noah Everett Berlow, Timothy Michael Spinner
  • RNA interference-based therapeutic against anthrax
    Patent number: 10479998
    Abstract: The present invention includes siRNAs and antibodies that block the interaction between TEM8 and/or CMG2 cell surface proteins and anthrax toxin and methods of treating anthrax exposure with the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Mingtao Zeng, Maria T. Arevalo
  • Cancer treatment utilizing SP-141 to bind with MDM2 and act as an inhibitor of MDM2 expression
    Patent number: 10472355
    Abstract: An SP-141 compound is a novel small molecule that can serve as a molecular-targeted chemotherapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the labeled compound can comprise SP-141, which comprises 6-methoxy-1-(naphthalen-1-yl)-9 H-pyrido[3,4-b]indote. The compound inhibits expression of oncogenes such as the Mouse Double Minute 2 protein. The compound can bind directly to Mouse Double Minute 2 to inhibit cancer growth including breast cancer growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Ruiwen Zhang, Wei Wang
  • Inhibitors of Mc1-1 as drugs to overcome resistance to BRAF inhibitors and MEK inhibitors
    Patent number: 10463649
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for inhibiting MCL-1, including novel inhibitors of MCL-1, and compositions and methods for treating a subject with cancer that is refractory to one or more MAPK pathway protein inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Sanjay K. Srivastava, Neel M. Fofaria
  • Long distance simulated radiation detector
    Patent number: 10451752
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for simulating the detection of radiation comprise at least one simulated radioactive source, a simulated radiation detector, and an emulating module configured to simulate a detection level for the at least one simulated radioactive source according to a radiation level associated with the simulated radioactive source, wherein the simulated detection level is provided on the simulated radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventor: Robert Stump
  • Method for enhancing fracture propagation in subterranean formations
    Patent number: 10436002
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hydraulically fracturing a well penetrating an subterranean formation by optimizing the spacing of fractures along a wellbore to form a complex network of hydraulically connected fractures by identifying a deviated wellbore in a subterranean formation; introducing a series of fractures in the deviated wellbore, wherein the series of fractures comprising at least a first fracture, a second fracture, a third fracture and a fourth fracture each separated by a non-uniformed and an increased spacing distance such that the spacing distance from each adjacent fracture in the series of fractures is at an increased distance; and forming one or more complex fractures extending from the series of fractures to form a complex fracture network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Mohamed Soliman, Mehdi Rafiee, Elias Pirayesh
  • Hybrid FMCW-interferometry radar for positioning and monitoring and methods of using same
    Patent number: 10436888
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a hybrid radar system that integrates frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) mode and interferometry mode. The radar works as a time division system that continuously switches between the FMCW mode and interferometry mode. The FMCW mode is responsible for absolute range detection and the interferometry mode takes cares of the weak physiological movement monitoring. The respective accuracies in range detection and displacement measurement complements the advantages of the two radar modes, providing versatile performance. By steering the antenna beam, the proposed radar system becomes an ideal solution for indoor health care, human localization, and human-computer interaction. Objects or human targets with or without stationary clutters can be precisely located. At the same time, the targets' vital signs and gestures can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Changzhi Li, Guochao Wang
  • Lactic acid and other probiotic bacteria to reduce pathogens in lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues of livestock animals
    Patent number: 10420806
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for eliminating or reducing microbial contamination in lymph nodes that enter the food supply from livestock comprising: identifying an animal in need of eliminating or reducing microbial contamination in non-gut associated lymph nodes that enter the food supply, and providing the animal with an effective amount of a lactic acid bacteria or probiotic bacterial sufficient to reduce or eliminate the microbial contamination in non-gut associated lymph nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Mindy M. Brashears, Guy H. Loneragan, Kendra Nightingale, J. Chance Brooks
  • DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR EYE DISEASE DETECTION USING SMARTPHONE
    Publication number: 20190274536
    Abstract: Diagnostic tool for eye disease detection using a smartphone. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including capturing, by way of a camera lens on a device, an image of an eye to create a raw specimen; processing the raw specimen to create a processes specimen; performing edge detection on the processed specimen to detect a boundary of a cornea; extracting a region of interest of the cornea; identifying a boundary of the region of interest using a boundary tracing technique to identify a second boundary; analyzing the second boundary of the region of interest, by measuring a slope of the second boundary; and classifying the region of interest as including an eye disease, based on the analyzing the second boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Behnam Askarian, Jo Woon Chong, Fatemehsadat Tabei
  • Compositions and methods for the treatment of Parkinson's disease
    Patent number: 10391066
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating, alleviating, reversing or delaying progression of at least one symptom of Parkinson's Disease in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject an effective amount of a 2-amino-2[2-(4-octylphenyl)ethyl]propane-1,3-diol composition or a derivative thereof to treat at least one symptom of Parkinson's Disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventor: Ruth Perez
  • Magnetic field vector imaging array
    Patent number: 10393827
    Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging a magnetic field as vectors (or scalars if desired) in either two or three dimensions without the need for rastering or relative motion between the sensors and the magnetic field being viewed. A secondary function is to image electric current flow as vectors. Example embodiments can be scaled to fit both large and small applications by using discreet devices or manufacturing with MEMS technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Shelby Lacouture, Argenis Bilbao, Stephen Bayne
  • Dual purpose universal influenza vaccine confers protective immunity against anthrax
    Patent number: 10370416
    Abstract: The present invention includes antigenic fusion proteins, nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins and methods of making and using the same, wherein the fusion protein comprises three or more different influenza A ectodomains of Matrix Protein 2 (M2e); one or more stem regions of an influenza A hemagglutinin 2 (HA2) protein; and optionally an anthrax antigen, wherein the fusion protein is immunogenic across strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Mingtao Zeng, Maria T. Arevalo, Junwei Li
  • Apparatus and computerized method for optimizing or generating a sigma profile for a molecule
    Patent number: 10325677
    Abstract: An apparatus and computerized method optimizes or generates a sigma profile for a molecule by receiving a sigma profile for the molecule, calculating an activity coefficient for the molecule using the sigma profile for the molecule, calculating a solubility for the molecule using the activity coefficient for the molecule, optimizing or adjusting the sigma profile for the molecule by adjusting the sigma profile using an objective function and one or more constraints, providing the sigma profile to an output device communicably coupled to a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Chau-Chyun Chen, Md Rashedul Islam
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING LIQUID OXYGEN FROM LIQUIFIED AIR
    Publication number: 20190169026
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of separation of LOX and other commercially valuable components, such as LAr from liquefied air, which consists primarily of LN2. Strong magnetic field gradient and gravity are used to separate LOX from liquefied air, based upon the different magnetic properties of LOX and LN2. The apparatus and method employ a magnetic field gradient to levitate the LN2 and LAr diamagnetic components of liquid air while accelerating the paramagnetic LOX component toward the bottom to achieve oxygen separation. In other embodiments, a leak valve system can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Texas Tech University System
    Inventor: Robert V. Duncan